The Professional Regulation Commission issued last June 21, 2012,
Resolution No. 2012-668, Series of 2012 or the “Guidelines in
Implementing Section 7, paragraphs (j), (l) and Section 16 of R.A.8981,
otherwise known as the PRC Modernization Act of 2000, the Pertinent
Provisions of the Various Professional Regulatory Laws, the General
Agreement on Trade in Services, and other International Agreements on
the Practice of Foreign Professionals in the Philippines.” PRC
Resolution No. 2012-668 was published at the Philippine Daily Inquirer
on June 26, 2012 and the same became effective on July 12, 2012.

This Resolution which implements covered Professional Regulatory
Laws and Section 7 (j) of Republic Act No. 8981, otherwise known as
the“PRC Modernization Act of 2000” requires foreign professionals who
intend to practice a regulated profession in the Philippines to secure a
Special Temporary Permit to practice from the Professional Regulation
Commission, under any of the following circumstances:

Category A - foreign professionals applying for registration with or without examination
under reciprocity or other international agreement
Category B - foreign professionals intending to practice a profession in the Philippines
under reciprocity or other international agreement
Category C - foreign professionals who are to be engaged by
the Government as consultants in foreign-funded, joint venture or
foreign assisted projects
Category D - foreign professionals who are to be employed by local or foreign private firms or institutions pursuant to law
Category E - foreign health professionals on humanitarian missions for a limited period of time
Category F - foreign professionals under Presidential
Decree No. 541, or the law “Allowing Former Filipino Professionals to
Practice their Respective Professions in the Philippines”

The issuance of the Special Temporary Permit to practice shall be
subject to compliance with the documentary requirements and payment of
fees prescribed under the said Resolution.All applicants shall be
required to submit a duly accomplished and notarized Application Form
together with a photocopy of his/her valid passport showing his/her
citizenship, type and validity of visa issued and proof of entry in the
Philippines, in addition to other documentary requirements prescribed
for each category. All applicants shall be required to pay a
non-refundable processing fee of Three Thousand Pesos (P3,000.00) and
permit fee of Eight Thousand Pesos (P8,000.00). Those falling under
Category F shall pay the arrears, in addition to the permit fee, as
stated above.

The practice of a regulated profession in the Philippines without
the Special Temporary Permit from the Commission amounts to illegal
practice of profession which warrants the imposition of the
corresponding administrative, civil and penal sanctions, pursuant to
applicable laws on the matter.

All foreign professionals who are already in the country but
engaged in the practice of a regulated profession without the
Certificate of Registration, Professional ID Card or Special Temporary
Permit shall be allowed a ninety (90) day grace period or until October
10, 2012 within which to secure the said Certificate of Registration,
Professional ID Card or Special Temporary Permit from the Commission
without penalty, subject to the requirements prescribed under PRC
Resolution 2012-668, Series of 2012.

Please be likewise advised that the Professional Regulation
Commission issued Resolution No. 2012-673, Series of 2012, “Suspending
the Effectivity of Section 5 and Section 17 of Resolution 2012-668,
Series of 2012, entitled the Guidelines in Implementing Section 7,
paragraphs (j), (l) and Section 16 of R.A.8981 otherwise known as the
PRC Modernization Act of 2000, the Pertinent Provisions of the Various
Professional Regulatory Laws, the General Agreement on Trade in
Services, and other International Agreements on the Practice of Foreign
Professionals in the Philippines with respect to subsection E, Section 2
thereof.”

Pursuant to the aforecited Resolution, covered foreign health
professionals on humanitarian missions shall pay the One Thousand Two
Hundred Fifty Pesos (P1,250.00) permit fee only and shall be exempt from
the professional liability insurance requirement. Said suspension shall
commence on August 23, 2012 and shall last for such period of time as
may be determined by the Professional Regulation Commission.